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November 26, 2025: Three Men Charged With Murder in Fatal Ambush of Music Artist DELAROSA
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If convicted as charged, Francisco Otilio Gaytan, Benny LiconGomez and Eduardo Lopez face life in prison without the possibility of parole
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Murder charges have been filed against three men accused of fatally shooting rising Latino music artist DELAROSA during an ambush-style attack in Northridge on Nov. 22.
“This was a ruthless and targeted attack that stole the life of a young woman and artist and inflicted profound lifelong trauma on her family and the two survivors,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “My Office will pursue this case aggressively to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable for this senseless and deadly violence.”
Francisco Otilio Gaytan (dob 10/9/98), Benny LiconGomez (dob 2/26/98) and Eduardo Lopez (dob 1/5/04) all of Northridge were each charged with one felony count of murder and two felony counts of attempted second-degree robbery in case 25SFCF02393. Gaytan’s arraignment is set for Jan. 7, 2026, in Department S of the San Fernando Valley Courthouse. His bail was set at $2,180,000. LiconGomez is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 26, 2025, in the same location. LiconGomez is being held on $2,280,000 bail; and bail for Lopez was set at $2,205,000. Arraignment for Lopez will be scheduled at a later date.
Shortly before 1:25 a.m. on Nov. 22, Gaytan, LiconGomez and Lopez allegedly approached a parked vehicle on Bryant Street near Tampa Avenue in Northridge, demanded money, then opened fire, striking all three occupants. Twenty-two-year-old Maria De La Rosa, known professionally as DELAROSA, was fatally struck. The two other victims sustained critical injuries. Gaytan was arrested the same day and LiconGomez was arrested the next day. An arrest warrant has been issued for Lopez.
If convicted as charged, all defendants face life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Jennifer Jimenez and Celeste Sanchez and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
